Published 16th December 2019
The oldest record of New Year’s Resolutions come from ancient Babylon, a civilisation which dates back some 4,000 years. The Babylonians are recorded to have held festivals to honour the new year (which took place in March not January) and to pray for the success of their crops.
Similar traditions can also be seen in ancient Rome after Julius Caesar altered the calendar and established January 1st as the start of the new year. Indeed, the word ‘January’ is named after Janus, a two- faced God whose spirit was believed to have inhabited doorways.
January had a special meaning for the Romans as Janus was regarded as symbolic for simultaneously looking backwards into the past year and looking forward to the new year. The Romans would offer sacrifices to this deity to ensure they had fortune and good luck in the new year.
While our modern new year celebrations differ greatly to those from the past, our need as humans to establish a point of regeneration and a ‘fresh start’ has remained the same.
As we welcome in 2020 and the new decade opens up to us, there is the opportunity and possibility of new hope and change. Here, at Carers Matter Norfolk, we are here to help establish that regeneration for all carers.
So, like Janus, looking back on the past year and decade can be one of the best ways to also look forwards at what the future will bring and what resolutions you wish to make and fulfil as a carer.